By Frances Matteck/editor-in-chief
Everyone is entitled to live without fear of terrorist attacks.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a world where that is possible.
Despite this, some things make me feel safer. Our troops overseas, countries striving to achieve democracy and my dad are just a few that help me sleep at night.
President Barack Obama’s intent to close Guantanamo Bay in his first 100 days in office is not something that makes me feel safe.
I don’t see how we can possibly shut the prison down without endangering American lives. What happens when one of these men decides to hijack a plane full of innocent civilians? I don’t want a repeat of Sept. 11.
Also, consider the people who live in the countries these detainees would be shipped back to. If one prisoner straps on a bomb and blows himself up in the middle of a market in Iraq, the administration would be responsible for the inflicted injuries and deaths.
Opponents of Gitmo cite tactics used by guards and interrogators to gather intelligence information from detainees as inhumane.
I don’t like the idea of torture anymore than I like the idea of suicide bombers killing innocents. However, I don’t consider a prisoner being chained to the ground with rock music blaring and a strobe light going torture — a common practice used by interrogators at Gitmo.
Critics have questioned the conditions of the detainees. While I agree that every human deserves fair treatment, these people receive access to a dentist and medical treatment — treatment paid for by tax dollars.
Those conditions sound pretty fair.
And while I’m sure they appreciate the fillings, I doubt they’re all ready to call a truce.
Evidence of this was recently presented when a Saudi government spokesman released its most wanted list. Eleven former Guantanamo Bay detainees made it on the list.
Consider the message the closing would send to our troops overseas. They’re over there fighting and dying, and we’re going to beef up Team Terrorism.
American citizens have the right to live without fear of being attacked by terrorists.
All of Obama’s decisions should be made in the best interests of the American people, not the terrorists that attack us.
The administration’s actions show me that the government is more concerned with terrorists’ rights than our right to safety.
